Bristol news dating back 176 years is now within reach of everyone’s fingertips. Students, researchers and local residents alike can access early issues of Bristol’s newspaper of record, The Bristol Phoenix, without stepping foot into a library.
Partnering with the Rogers Free Library, the Bristol Historical and Preservation Society (BHPS) and Rhode Island Historical Society (RIHS), the Roger Williams University Library has digitized 16 years of the newspaper’s weekly print editions from September 17, 1837, through August 13, 1853. By converting the issues from microfilm to a digital repository, the newspaper content is now readily available online and searchable by keyword, name or date.
The digital project stems from the steady demand from researchers, genealogists, students and local residents visiting the RWU library, Rogers Free Library or RIHS to access the print or microfilm collection of newspapers. These three locations were the only places individuals could access the archived issues; to search the newspaper content, patrons had to visit the BHPS to reference its card index.
Presentation with Ambassador and Activist Andrew Young will highlight Inauguration Week 2011 events; reception with Ambassador Young to immediately follow.
About Ambassador and Activist Andrew Young
For a university that prides itself on creating a healthy exchange of ideas on the most pressing questions facing society and seeks to instill in its graduates a drive to serve the broader public interest, the chance to host Andrew Young as an honored guest and participant during Inauguration Week 2011 is opportune.
During his remarks to an audience of nearly 100 supporters of electric vehicles and other sustainability efforts, the Governor also announced that the State of Rhode Island will lead by example by transitioning the state’s fleet of vehicles to alternative fuel vehicles. Chafee directed Director of Administration Richard Licht to implement a process through which state agencies will use Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act dollars to pay for the differential cost between an alternative fuel vehicle and a comparably sized gas-powered car.
Over the past few months, many of you have likely read about the potential for a toll system on the Sakonnet River Bridge on Routes 24/138 between Tiverton and Portsmouth. Despite continuing conversations in the state, it appears that the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) will begin collecting tolls in early July.
Given the impact on the many students, faculty and staff at Roger Williams University who use the Sakonnet River Bridge on a regular basis, the University has arranged for representatives from RITBA to come to campus later this month. They will be available to provide details on the tolls, the rate structures and the availability of E-Z Pass transponders, which can help to minimize costs.
Transponders will also be available for purchase on site at the limited-time $10 rate RITBA will offer starting later this month. (RITBA has not yet determined how long the limited-time rate will be available, but we will communicate those details when available.)
Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee and RWU President Donald J. Farish join officials from ChargePoint and National Grid in a special electric vehicle charging station event on Main Campus Road near the Fine Arts Building.
Speakers:
ChargePoint President and CEO, Pat Romano
Rhode Island Governor, Lincoln D. Chafee
Rhode Island Director of Administration, Richard Licht
Roger Williams University President, Donald J. Farish
National Grid VP, Customer & Business Strategy, Edward White
Project Get Ready Rhode Island Founder, Al Dahlberg
Ocean State Clean Cities Coordinator (hosted at the URI Outreach Center), Wendy Lucht
Rhode Island Commissioner of Energy Resources, Marion Gold
The unveiling is a celebration of a public/private partnership to provide EV charging station infrastructure throughout Rhode Island. ChargePoint and National Grid will deploy more than 50 EV charging stations throughout Rhode Island through a statewide grant.
“My wish is that you will use all means at your disposal … to ignite public support for a global network of marine protected areas, hope spots large enough to save and restore the ocean, the blue heart of the planet.”
—Sylvia Earle’s 2009 TED Prize Wish
Thanks to hard work, more than 6,000 hours logged underwater, and the poise that comes with having worked in just about every facet of ocean conservation, Sylvia Earle’s wish is gaining traction, one marine preserve at a time.
Newport, R.I. – Each year, Discover Newport – the Newport and Bristol County Convention & Visitors Bureau – nominates an individual, business or organization to be recognized with the Governor’s Tourism Achievement Award at the Annual Rhode Island Tourism Unity Luncheon.
This year’s theme, “Making a Difference,” highlighted people and places that make a profound impact on Rhode Island's tourism industry. On Wednesday, May 8, at the Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, Roger Williams University was ceremoniously recognized by Governor Lincoln D. Chafee as the Bristol County honoree.
Bristol, R.I. – With an array of speakers urging them to live their lives according to the values treasured by the university’s namesake himself, 1,080 graduates in the Roger Williams University Class of 2013 culminated their college careers on Saturday at the university’s annual Commencement exercises.
More than 6,000 people turned out under the big tent in Bristol to watch the graduates cross the stage on a day that boasted bright sunshine and an abundantly agreeable 68 degrees on the thermometer along the bayside campus.
In addition to awarding bachelor’s and master’s degrees to the candidates, RWU President Donald J. Farish conferred honorary doctorates to two special guests: author and historian John M. Barry, who detailed the influence of the university’s namesake in last year’s award-winning Roger Williams and the Creation of the American Soul, and Larry Rachleff, music director of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra.
BRISTOL, R.I. – As Roger Williams University School of Law prepares to kick off its 20th Anniversary year, Morris Dees – a preeminent civil rights attorney and founder of the Southern Poverty Law Center – addressed the 164 graduates Class of 2013 during Commencement exercises today.
“After 53 years of law practice, I can tell you that I am so proud to be a lawyer,” he told the graduates. “America is a nation of laws, and lawyers led the way long before we were a country. … We know that lawyers wrote our Constitution and our Declaration of Independence. They’re essential to democracy.”
Dees, who won a series of groundbreaking civil rights cases aimed at integrating government and public institutions, received an honorary degree, along with state Superior Court Presiding Justice Alice B. Gibney. Gibney's son, Nicholas Parrillo also earned a law degree at Roger Williams Friday.
BRISTOL, R.I. -- With four (or more!) years of college under their belts, Class of 2013 graduates have plenty of wisdom to impart on the next generation of Roger Williams University students. As Commencement closes the chapter on their lives as undergraduates, seniors reflected on their four years and offered some words of advice to the Class of 2017.
While some offered worldly counsel that applies to any stage of life, others focused their guidance on specific ways to take advantage of the opportunities at RWU. Not surprisingly for this very engaged student population, a common theme from graduates was to get involved.
Members of the Class of 2013 (and even one alumnus) proffer their opinions below to the incoming freshman class:
